THE TOUCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Reflection for Tuesday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(1 Cor 2:10-16; Lk 4:31-37)

On this first day of the Month of September, St Paul shifts his discussion with the Corinthians to the workings of the Holy Spirit.  There is need to highlight the operations of the Spirit so that faith in Jesus Christ will not be based on human thinking. “The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” It is by the Spirit that we can understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. The truth of divine mysteries is made understandable by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in us becomes the ‘revealer’ of truth, and at the same time the ‘principle of Choice’ from which the human mind is motivated to action. This is how the spiritual man knows the will of God and is inspired to do it.

However, human wisdom poses as an ‘obstacle’ to the workings of the Holy Spirit in us. Our human thinking must be transformed by the Holy Spirit as our new frame of thought. The wordily minded person cannot pierce the depths of God; he cannot receive what the Holy Spirit offers. “The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” The obstacle that the human mind poses is removed when the believer begins to develop the ‘mind of Christ’ in his daily life. When we confront issues with the ‘approach of Christ’ then we grow in the ‘mind of Christ.’ Then, the Holy Spirit draws our mind to Himself as the new frame of thinking...

Hence, to ‘put on Christ’ (Rm 13:14) is the gateway to unlock the great workings of the Holy Spirit in us. But the Gospel of today shows how the devil ‘opposes’ our encounter with Jesus. The evil one tried to distract the people from Jesus, and get cheap attention for himself. Jesus immediately rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Think about the many ways we are distracted from Jesus; the unnecessary oppositions we face anytime we have an opportunity to love Jesus. Imagine how often our active minds become obstacles to us hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. However, a brief touch of the Spirit overwhelms us, brightens our day, melts away every fear and sorrow, and reveals the gifts of God. May you have that touch of the Holy Spirit this month, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday September 1^st, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE KNOWLEDGE TO BELIEVE

 Reflection for Monday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(1 Cor 2:1-5; Lk 4:16-30)

This week we shall be meditating on the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.  Corinth was a leading Greek City where Paul preached during his second missionary journey. Remember the Greeks had a long philosophic history even before Jesus Christ was born. As we scroll down the pages of this letter, we shall see how Paul addresses these ‘wise men’ to convince them about faith in Jesus Christ.

The human mind operates within a certain framework; it draws from its frame of reference to make judgments and accept assertions. It is not easy to draw the mind to accept new frame of reference or ways of thinking. Since the mind seem to have attraction to fancies, learned people use ‘plausible words of wisdom’ to excite their audience and convince them to accept their teachings. But St Paul quickly pulled his preaching from the style of the ‘wise men’ already known to the Corinthians. He declared himself before them as ‘unwise’, shy and ill equipped with lofty words of wisdom. He did this for two reasons. First, that the Gospel message might not be reduced to human thinking, such that it could be accepted simply because it excited their rational mind. Such euphoria does not last. Secondly, the preacher with high sounding words draws attention to himself as the learned one, the ‘powerful man of God’, etc. Here, the preacher becomes an obstacle when he becomes the main reason people gather.

St Paul says, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” And his speech and message were only in demonstration of the Spirit and power, “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” It was because of the workings of the human mind that the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, who taught them, not like the Son of a Carpenter, but by the Spirit of the Lord. And Jesus could not perform any miracles among them.

The Word of God transcends any frame of mind, ideology or cultural mindset. We should not approach the divine mysteries with a mind that is closed to itself or attached to personalities. Let the Holy Spirit inspire us; let the power of God draw us and let the wisdom of God direct us. Yes, let us move forward this day in faith with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday August 31^st, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com 

FROM SUFFERING TO SACRIFICE

 Reflection for 22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Jer 20:7-9; Rm 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27)

1.0.  The Heart of Suffering

Suffering in the heart is the ‘heart’ of suffering; an agonizing heart knows no peace. The human heart and mind are full of aspirations and visions. The extent to which we are attached to these visions will determine the debt of our rejoicing or suffering if they are achieved or not. Many people are burdened in different aspects of their lives. Sometimes, our ‘heartbreaks’ are brought upon us by others and situations we find ourselves. Most times they originate from within us; from our wrong ideologies and misplaced visions and aspirations. Yes, since the fall of man at the beginning of creation, man suffers as he withdraws his heart in disobedience from the will of God. Here is the ‘heart’ of suffering, and the heart that suffers is that which is not in line with the will of God.

This is where we locate the suffering of Prophet Jeremiah in the first reading as he battles to cooperate with the will of God. Jeremiah became a sign of contradiction to himself, and a laughingstock to the people. Since Jeremiah delivered the message that people did not want to hear, he suffered mockery and shame.  Within him, the word of God became a reproach and derision, for when he says, ‘“I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” The suffering heart is healed when it succumbs to the will of God.

2.0.  From Suffering to Sacrifice

The human body and its pleasures bring us a lot of suffering as they divert us away from the will of God. The yearnings of the flesh, with its attraction to comfort, do not often align with that of the Holy Spirit. This contradiction leads to self-agony, frustration, stress and depression.  As this ‘battle’ rages, time is wasted, energy is exhausted and resources are misused. Fear and regret are left for the soul to chew! But the second reading of today suggests a way out. St Paul suggests that we present our bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Once the body is offered in sacrifice, it can no more bring contradiction to the soul. But, how can the body ought to be sacrificed?

St Paul answers, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” By offering the body in sacrifice, what ought to have brought mere suffering is connected to the will of God, from where peace of soul flows.

3.0.  Take up your Cross

In the Gospel of today, Jesus surprises his disciples as He informs them of his readiness to freely enter Jerusalem to suffer, die and resurrect on the third day. We do everything we can to avoid suffering, how can He see suffering and willingly embrace it, even to the point of death? The most important thing for the human mind is self-preservation. But Jesus demonstrates that the most important thing is the will of the Father, no matter what it involves, even if it is suffering and death. Thus, Jesus goes ahead of us on way of the Cross, where He nailed every suffering, conquered it and brought life.

In Jesus is the fulfilment of the will of the Father. The disobedience that brought suffering is conquered on the Cross of Suffering through the obedience of Christ. In Jesus we learn how to place the will of the Father over and above our heart desires and aspirations and bodily comfort. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” And unless we follow Jesus, our suffering cannot be sacrificed. We deny ourselves by placing the will of God revealed in Jesus over and above our human desires and aspirations. We take up our cross by getting actively involved in the situations of our lives, fulfilling our responsibilities, facing challenges and bearing the burdens that come our way as the will of God. Then, we follow Jesus with our burden by seeing it in faith as our sharing in the Cross of Christ, locating our pains in His, and by applying the righteousness of Jesus along the way as the challenges unfold.

This is how we find our life; wounds give way to healing, and life overcomes death! When our suffering becomes the will of God for us in Christ Jesus, we will never be frustrated or depressed but we will continue to produce good works. The heart that surrenders to the will of God will triumph over every suffering.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday August 30^th, 2020.
 www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com 

 

THE THRUST OF AUTHORITY

Reflection for 21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Is 22:19-23; Rm 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20)

What is the common problem we face in delegating authority? This precaution appears in every human gathering, even in family circles. Transmitting and entrusting authority to another person is easier said than done. But we see Jesus in the Gospel of this Sunday freely entrusting the authority-keys of the Kingdom of Heaven of Peter.

This happened in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading, where the Lord handed over to Eliakim the authority of Shebna over Jerusalem and the house of Judah. “And I will place on his shoulder the authority of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Jesus would use similar words on Peter as they enter the district of Caesarea Philippi.

According to biblical historians, Caesarea Philippi was originally known as Panion. The City was located on the southern slope of Mount Hermon near the River Jordan. Emperor Augustus Caeser put the district under Herod the Great. Herod’s son, Philip, rebuilt the City and changed the name to Caesarea Philippi. This was how a Jewish territory took on a Roman identity. On entering this City, Jesus threw in the question of his own identity to His disciples.

He asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of man is?” People identified Him by comparing Him with the holy men and prophets of old. This was based on the impression they got from his miracles and teaching authority. So, they likened Jesus to be another John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, etc. People will always describe others on these two principles of ‘comparison’ and ‘selfish impression.’ Often times, they want you to remain in these ‘identity modes’ they created. Now, Jesus looked at the disciples and asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter’s response was immediate and complete: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven.” Yes, no one knows the Son except the Father and those who the Father chooses to reveal Him (Mt 11:27). Peter as flesh and blood was vulnerable, but his humility and openness to the Father earned him the exalted knowledge of the Son. If our lives are consumed by the pleasures of ‘flesh and blood’ we will definitely lack that true knowledge of Jesus, ourselves and things around that only God gives, even in the midst of changing times and situations.

Having blessed Peter, Jesus added, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” ‘Peter’ is now instituted as the foundational rock on which the Christian faith is to be sustained. Just as the Father’s revelation was made known through him, Jesus the Rock of Ages will sustain His Church through Peter. “The Lord is my rock and fortress...I take refuge in Him, my rock” (Ps 18:2).

Further, Jesus said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” Jesus now transmits His own authority to Peter, whom He instituted as the foundational rock of the Church. Thus, the Church possesses within her the ‘sanctifying office’ through which the heavenly gates are unlocked for Christ’s faithful. Therefore, it is Christ who blesses when the Church blesses...

The authority of Jesus the Son of the living God, the Head of the Body the Church, is not diminished by His delegating His authority to Peter. Instead, in Peter, the Church possesses the ‘mind of Christ’ and speaks with the ‘voice of Christ.’ It is always the Church of Jesus Christ, with His power and authority. Moreover, the authority of ‘Peter’ the Head is not diminished when he delegates to Cardinals, Bishops, priests, deacons and ministers in the Church. But the one authority of Jesus Christ is spread out, and made readily available and accessible to all. So, in the blessing of the deacon we receive the blessing of Jesus.

Then, why are people afraid of delegating the little authority they possess? Every genuine authority issuing from God leads back to God, and is not afraid of transmitting itself to others. The fear of delegation is that the recipient might diminish the power of his master, and divert the ‘glory’ to himself. This happens when we operate as ‘flesh and blood.’ Lack of trust has ruined many relationships, families and institutions. We often live in fear and suspicion of each other. If the authority you have is not given by flesh and blood but by the living God, no one can diminish it nor take it away, rather, it will spread out and leads those it touches to salvation.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday 23^rd August, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

  

 

THE FAITH THAT OVERCOMES BARRIERS

 Reflection for 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Is 56:1, 6-7; Mt 1521-28)

1.0. The God of all

What is it that causes segregation among people? We easily classify people, prejudice against them and justify excluding them from certain privileges or honour. Sometimes such injustice is even gender based.  What ought to bring variety and beauty to life and society now becomes a source of pain and dehumanization. However, our Christian life empowers us to overcome these barriers.

The Prophet Isaiah announced that ‘foreigners’ would join the ‘chosen’ people to become servants of God. People of all nations shall gather in God’s house and offer acceptable burnt offerings and sacrifices; “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The condition for being acceptable before the Lord is made available to all: to keep justice and do righteousness, to love the name of the Lord and to keep the Sabbath.  According to Isaiah, the ordinances of the Lord are the same for all; they are the gateway to enter His dwelling place.

2.0. Universal Mercy of God

Inviting foreigners to share in the grace of the Chosen race is not to belittle the Jews. St Paul explains in the second reading that his ministry to the Gentiles was equally to attract the Jews to salvation indirectly. It was through the disobedience of the Jews that the reconciliation of the world in Jesus Christ came. “For the gifts and call of God are irrevocable.” That means their acceptance of Salvation will bring more blessings to the world. God's mercy is now readily available to people, both Jews and Gentiles. The Gentiles erred by following false gods; the Jews erred by rejecting Jesus. “For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that He may have mercy upon all.”

In the Gospel, Jesus declares this universal mercy of God as He steps forward to break the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles. Accompanied by His disciples, He entered the Gentile district of Tyre and Sidon. His presence in this territory is already an indication that God’s salvation has come to ‘foreign’ nations, which is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus becomes the new Standard by which ‘foreigners’ and the ‘chosen people’ can become children of the Most High God.

3.0. Great Faith

As Jesus walked along, a Canaanite woman from that district came out crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by demon.” There were lots of socio-cultural barriers that would have prevented her from approaching Jesus. Notice that she recognized Jesus as the universal Messiah as “Lord,” and as a full time Jew as “Son of David.” To which of these two ‘identities’ of Jesus was her faith directed at?

Jesus ignored her request and continued moving. But she ‘ignored’ Jesus’ silence and continued following! As Jesus dragged her on with silence, the woman’s faith was being tested and purified. When the disciples asked Jesus to send her away, He answered, “I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman’s faith had bypassed the human barrier of cultural identity, so she knelt down in humility and cried out, “Lord, help me.” As if to confirm if she has ‘certitude of faith’ before whom she was kneeling, Jesus said to her, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But the woman would not reduce her faith to human prejudice. So, she replied, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Imagine such a pure and humble faith, not limited by any human barriers! Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at once.

4.0. The Leap of Faith

The prophecy of Isaiah is already fulfilled in Christ Jesus. The barriers that lock us away from each other have been broken as Jesus stepped into the ‘district of foreigners.’ Salvation is nearer to us now (Rm 13:11). Either as believers we fall into disobedience or as unbelievers we follow other gods, the gate of salvation is now opened to all through Jesus Christ. We cannot claim to follow Jesus and still build fences that separate people. The great faith that answers and breaks barriers is one that acknowledges Jesus as Lord of all. And such a believer loves all people as children of God. Is there somebody you are finding it difficult to love or help because of their cultural identity? Do you love your family to the exclusion of other families? Do you feel upset when you hear other languages or see people dress in certain cultural attires? Do you lack respect for people of certain cultural background? Do you respect all genders as having equal dignity? Jesus has stepped into these ‘territories’ and silently drawing us to rise above these limitations so that our faith itself can become answers to our prayers. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday August 16^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

Click below for another a recent version of today's Gospel:
 https://nwachinwe.blogspot.com/2020/08/confidence-in-faith.html

THE BEGINNINGS OF A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE

 Reflection for Friday of the 19^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Ezek 16:59-63; Mt 19:3-12)

Every great and successful marriage has its humble beginning. It passes through phases to reach maturity. This too is the story of Israel and her relationship with God. Ezekiel narrates Israel’s humble origin in the land of Canaan. She was like an abandoned baby at birth. God picked her up and made her to live. She grew to maidenhood to the age of love, and God covered her nakedness. Then God said, “I pledged myself to you and entered into covenant with you and you became mine.” Her status is now elevated; God anointed her, clothe her with silk and linen, adorned her with ornament, bracelets, gold and silver, put a beautiful crown on her head and fed her with fine flour and honey. Thus, Israel became exceedingly beautiful. Surprisingly, she forgot how it all started and who brought her up but trusted in her own beauty! In her pride, Israel played the harlot with other gods but God said, “Yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish with you an everlasting covenant, that you may remember and be confounded...When I forgive you all that you have done."

God’s ‘marriage’ with Israel remained unbroken because of His faithfulness, though Israel broke her own side of the covenant. But instead of ‘divorcing’ her, God promised to renew the covenant. Yes, every marriage requires renewal not divorce. But the Pharisees approached Jesus with the question of divorce. They knew divorce is a contradiction to what marriage stands for. “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” they asked. Jesus’ answer tells us what causes divorce and the secret of a successful marriage.

“Have you not read that He who made them from the beginning made them male and female?” Jesus said this is why a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they become one. “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” Marriage is God’s design, but man has been struggling over the ages to redesign and wrestle it away from God’s hand. It is in marriage that our freedom of choice is mostly expressed, and at the same time, it is here that it is summoned to surrender. We are good to go when in marriage our will and choices shine out. But sooner or later, the couples discover that they have to individually and collectively surrender to God and accept each other, and their union, as God’s will. What authority is above human will and freedom? Hence, only the authority of God can unite and sustain man and woman in marriage.

Again, Jesus said that ‘hardness of heart’ leads to divorce. This is a heart that will not allow God’s word to penetrate. It is a proud and selfish heart, which exalts itself and will not yield to God. One who does not submit to the authority of God may not be able to surrender to the authority of love in marriage. That is why religions that do not accept the merciful and loving One God permit divorce and/or polygamy. The prophetic blessing from God’s ‘marriage’ and faithfulness to Israel is now instituted in our homes through Jesus Christ. God saw all He had made, and indeed it was very good (Gen 1:31). And it remains good and beautiful, growing from a painful and simple beginning to a sublime and great dynasty. May God bless your family with peace and unity + In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday August 14^th, 2020.
Memorial of St Maximilian Mary Kolbe.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

THE REBELLION OF UNFORGIVENESS

 Reflection for Thursday of the 19^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Ezek 12:1-12; Mt 18:21-19:1)

God asked Ezekiel to make a mock exile journey as a demonstration for the people and the princes of Israel. Since they were a rebellious house who refused to listen, maybe they would learn the lesson for themselves. Ezekiel was to move from his place to another location like one going into exile. He packed his baggage in the evening before all the people, dug through the wall like one escaping from intruders. “In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder, and carry it out in the dark; you shall cover your face that you may not see the land; for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.” This was how Ezekiel demonstrated to them that their rebellious lives would lead them to exile.

In the Gospel, we see how such rebellious heart refuses to forgive. Jesus continues the discussion on forgiveness, which is not conventional. Peter perceived the complications and asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” ‘Counting sin’ is natural to us. We easily remember past hurts, add it up to the present hurts and deny forgiveness both in the present and in the future. But from Jesus’ teaching, we should treat each offence as it comes and apply forgiveness immediately. So He answered Peter, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

He explained deeper with the parable of the unforgiving servant, whose master cancelled his huge debt but he refused to give his fellow servant some time to pay him. Meditating on that story, we notice that the master of this servant was exceedingly generous with mercy. By justice, the servant and his household ought to be sold to pay the debt. This servant knelt down and asked to be given some time for him to raise the money and pay. But the master had pity on him and cancelled out all his debt. He was set free. With this unmerited grace and the freedom given by the master, this servant met his fellow who owed him very little compared to what the master cancelled for him. He started torturing this servant by seizing him by the throat and asking for the money. This fellow servant did not just kneel down, but fell down and pleaded for some time to pay. “He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt.

Then the master summoned him again and said, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?” The master treated him the same way he treated his fellow servant: with anger, jailed him and made him pay back what he owed. Then Jesus said, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

God has given us a living example of compassion and abundant mercy in Jesus Christ. He cancels out our sins and sets us free as His Children. Therefore, forgiving those who hurt us becomes our way of appreciating God. We cannot forgive more than God Himself. Yes, only a generous and appreciative person forgives easily. Unforgiveness is a form of rebellion against God’s mercy; it is a way we show that we do not deserve and accept God’s mercy. Ezekiel had demonstrated what happens to rebellious people: they are exiled from God’s compassion and driven to bondage. The strength to forgive comes from God, and the glory of forgiveness goes back to God. If our hearts dwell in the sublime mercy of God, we will not have time to count costs. Each hurt we forgive, though it may be a moment of the Cross, it shall draw us deeper into the overwhelming mercy of God and increases our freedom as children of God. May Almighty God bless you and heal your every hurts + In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday August 13^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com